HONOLULU — The Honua Finals, widely known as the “World Cup of Interscholastic Surfing,” is set to return to Oʻahu this summer, offering young local surfers the chance to compete against top high school teams from around the globe.
The international event will be held at the renowned Ala Moana Bowls surf break, with a contest window scheduled from July 31 to August 3. The competition will take place over the two days with the best wave conditions during that period.
Surfers from top high school teams in Japan, New Zealand, Canada, California, and across the Hawaiian Islands—including Maui, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island—will take part in the event.
“For years, talented local surfers have missed out on major competitions, not due to a lack of skill or motivation, but because of the high cost of traveling to elite contests overseas,” said event organizer Davin Kazama. “The Honua Finals aims to change that by providing a global stage right here at home. It helps make the sport more accessible and supports the next generation of Hawaiʻi surfers.”
The event’s organizing team said the Honua Finals also serves a broader purpose: restoring Hawaiʻi’s place as the heart of the surfing world while recognizing the islands as a breeding ground for future world champions.
In addition to its global impact, the competition aligns with a growing local initiative to formally recognize surfing as an official high school sport across Hawaiʻi. During the 2025 legislative session, House Bill 133 passed, proposing a $1.37 million allocation to the state Department of Education to support interscholastic surfing. The bill now awaits the governor’s approval.
The Honua Finals is presented by Nike Swim and supported by several local sponsors, including Duke’s Waikiki, Wai Kai, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Royal Hawaiian Center, HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, Livestream Hawaiʻi, and the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.